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Through the years, a diamond standard of skiing luxury has seen a fistful of resorts emerge as a cut above the rest. You’ll recognise all the names on this list – they’re the retreats of the haute-monde, where high-end shopping meets sparkling restaurants, uber lux chalets and hotels with the highest polish, plus of course, stonkingly good skiing.
From classic St Moritz to All-Star Aspen, these exclusive places to ski include the most chic resorts in Europe, North America and beyond. Ski like James Bond among European royalty, or like a high roller among American billionaires - then come home to the most luxurious mountain lodgings known to man...
Holidays in the Top 10 Luxury Ski Resorts
With the huge Engadin valley - the slopes around St Moritz are reason enough to hot-foot it over, and, by George, those views! But you don’t become the “crown jewel” of Switzerland on natural beauty alone. The Via Serlas, a lair for the loftiest names in fashion fits guests with the finery for polo and horse races out on the lake. Cuisine doesn’t let the side down. Hailed “birthplace of ski holidays”, there’s been plenty of time to amass a galaxy of Michelin stars (Bumann’s Chesa Pirani and the Ecco on Snow have two) the majority being caviar and truffle-oil affairs.
Once decked with “Chanel” cable cars by Mr. Lagerfeld, Courchevel’s in many ways a ski resort on a night out at the opera: A glittering hotel on each ear, a string of ready-to-wear boutiques at the wrist and a clutch full of champagne-filled Piano bars – plus it's serviced, of course, by its own airport. For those of us without nights at Le Mangeoire on the cards, rejoice: You'll be up earliest for the endless skiing of the 3 Valleys.
With an example of nature’s finest craftsmanship (the Matterhorn) as the backdrop, Zermatt may be slightly gilding the lily with its picturesque, roughshod chalets. We certainly aren’t complaining, particularly when swept along on the culinary circuit here, through plush bars (like the Ruden) and unbelievably fine restaurants (including 4 that twinkle with Michelin stars). For something more low-key, there are kookily traditional cafes aplenty (like the Biner) where you can "rough it” for a few days.
With its very own star-studded Fashion Week, skiing’s not the first thing on the mind of every Aspen visitor, hopping off their private jets at the Aspen airport. If your credit card’s up to the task, the shopping district could easily keep you busy for a week... For afters, some of the poshest nosh (Element47), sleekest bars (Social) and a burgeoning art scene should polish off the day. When you manage to find a spare minute, the Glenwood Hot springs will take the edge off all that hard work. We're not saying skiing shouldn't be on your mind here though - you're missing an absolute treat if it isn't - with multiple areas coated in champagne Colorado powder that'll blow your Michael Kors ski socks off.
Though the awe-inspiring off piste is a close contender, the real money's on one thing in Verbier: Total, Dom Perignon-popping hedonism. The Rue De Medran takes centre stage in a resort full of fine restaurants and roof-raising nightspots... And is where you’ll find the famous Farm Club. Shopping isn’t hugely extensive (though you could bag some swish threads in the new W Verbier district). The powers that be have obviously concluded that if you've recovered from the night before, you'll want to be out on the 4 Valleys anyway.
The grand opus of a Rothschild, in Megeve the lap of luxury's clad in vintage. If you’re not lapping up the seriously scenic skiing, you'll willingly spend the day touring cobbled streets (on foot or horse-drawn carriage). Mademoiselle Noemie’s idyllic vision has endured for almost a century; It should be interesting to see how new kid on the block, a branch of the raucous Folie Douce, will mix with grandfathers like Jazz club, Les Cinq Rues, and the 1930s Casino.
With possibly the largest collection of 5 and 6* chalets on earth, it’s no wonder Val D’s a favourite of the well-to-do from St Tropez and beyond. Worry not if you parle pas Français, the funky music of oil-slick lounge bars (Aigles des Neiges's is top notch) will do the talking. Leave the seasonnaires at Dicks Tea bar and look to the stars (the Michelin variety) shining over La Table de l’Ours and, (a little further out) nostalgic L'Atelier d'Edmond.
It isn’t often that silver-service sophistication and rustic charm combine; less still with gladiatorial off-piste skiing. Klosters is potentially one of a kind. With a thriving farming community, the place feels gloriously far from the madding crowd - which is probably why it enjoys such frequent royal patronage. Still, the area doesn’t want for the finest dining (the Chesa Grischuna is historic) a Michelin-star (The Walserhof), or evenings in front of an orchestra (at the Kulturschuppen). We doubt Eden had too many shops either, but luckily nearby Davos is stuffed with outlets and endless après (Central Piano Bar) when you're so inclined.
If there's anything in the old adage "like master, like student" – Whistler’s private lessons with Olympians are worth getting excited about. And here you’ve North America's largest ski area, on which to learn everything they know. On the luxury side of things – the ways are fit to bursting with glittering restaurants and art galleries. Slip into something a little less "Gore Tex" for a gourmet spread at the Bearfoot Bistro, one of Canada's best wine cellars. The only thing to trump it’s the back-to-the-wilderness Scandinave Spa.
Despite its Ibiza-esque reputation, not everyone in St Anton is roaringly inebriated...Yes, you’re going to have to throw care to the wind at the Mooserwirt at least once, but you'll soon realise that beer-goggles do a disservice to the views of the elegant architecture and heart-stopping mountainscapes. There are fine restaurants aplenty in which to gain back dignity (try The Museum - a place of learning by day, and candlelit dining by night) plus a world-class spa or two.
There’s no denying that the top ten resorts we've featured on this page are the crème de la crème of the skiing world, but worry not if you’ve got your heart set on one of the skiing nations in particular and prefer a little more choice…
Each of the skiing nations have a roster of resorts that shine in the luxury department, and we’ve garnered the very best of them in Switzerland, Austria, Italy and France for your perusal.
If you're less focussed on where you might ski and more on who you might see, check out the biggest events on the Alpine social calendar or read on for our summary of the best ski resorts for celebrity spotting...
Celebrity ski resorts & Celebrity ski hotels
The great and the good have long been drawn to the finest alpine ski resorts. Cortina and St Moritz served as the boltholes of stars of the Hollywood golden age – they’re home to two of the grandest hotels in the alps: Miramonti Majestic has welcomed the likes of David Niven and Elizabeth Taylor while the Kulm Hotel counts Charlie Chaplain and Audrey Hepburn among its former guests. These days you might spot the likes of George Clooney and Kate Moss.
All kinds of musical legends have graced Gstaad over the years – when Michael Jackson came, he tried to buy the iconic Gstaad Palace, which has hosted Sir Paul McCartney, Bono, Madonna, Elton John and many more. Fashion names (like Valentino), socialites (like the Ecclestones and Delevignes) and actors (Hugh Grant, Anne Hathaway…) are also familiar faces.
European royals - including Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry, Prince Charles and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - are a snow-loving bunch, with Klosters, Vebier, Lech and Courchevel among resorts they’ve skied in. The latter two are considered the ultimate resorts to ski and be seen, also attracting the likes of Pippa Middleton and Leonardo di Caprio.
Across the pond, the Beckham family frequently ski in Canada’s Whistler as well as Justin Timberlake, Heidi Klum and Queen Latifah who’ve all stayed at the Fairmont Chateau. Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga are among those spotted in Park City in the USA, while the Kardashians have holidayed in Aspen and Vail.
Best Luxury Ski resorts
| Resort | Country | Resort luxuries | Best restaurants | Best spas | Luxury hotel/chalet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Moritz | Switzerland | Iconic luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, designer shopping, stunning views of the Engadin valley | IGNIV, The K, Da Vittorio, Cà d'Oro | KULM Spa, Kempinski The Spa, Palace Wellness | Hotel Kulm |
| Zermatt | Switzerland | Beautiful alpine village, Matterhorn views, luxury chalets & hotels, acclaimed restaurants | The Omnia, Capri, After Seven | Vita Borni, Spa Vernissage | Grand Hotel Zermatterhof |
| Verbier | Switzerland | Huge luxury chalets & 5* hotels, wild apres ski, fine dining | La Table d’Adrien, La Vache, Le Grenier | AWAY Spa @ W Verbier, Chalet Makini’s private spa | Chalet Makini |
| Val d'Isere | France | Fabulous luxury chalets & 5* hotels, world-class ski area | L’Atelier d’Edmond, La Table de l’Ours, Pier Restaurant | Chalet Marco Polo’s private spa, Spa @ Hotel Christiania, Spa by Esthederm @ Avenue Lodge | Chalet Marco Polo |
| Courchevel | France | 5* & palace rated hotels, incredible chalets, designer shopping, numerous Michelin-star restaurants | Le 1947, Le Montgomerie, Le Kintessence, Le Chabichou | Grandes Alpes Spa, Le Chabichou & Spa, Goji Spa @ K2 Palace | Hotel Le Chabichou |
| Whistler | Canada | Big name hotels, great foodie resort, North America’s biggest ski area | Red Door Bistro, Araxi, The Grill Room | Scandinave Spa, Whistler Day Spa, Nita Lake Lodge Spa | Four Seasons Resort Whistler |
| Aspen | USA | High end hotels, designer shopping, huge ski area, A-List favourite | The Wild Fig, Plato’s, Element 47 | Remède Spa | The Little Nell |
| Klosters | Switzerland | Laid back lux, incredible skiing, Royal’s favourite | Chesa Grischuna, Walserhof, Alpenrösli | Silvretta Park Wellness, Alpina | Hotel Silvretta Park |
| Ischgl | Austria | Luxury hotels, gourmet dining, wild après ski | Paznauner Stube, Restaurant Stuva, Filana | Royal Spa, Madlein Spa | Hotel Trofana Royal |
| St Anton | Austria | Luxury hotels & spas, legendary off-piste, wild après ski | Hazienda, The Museum, Tannenhof | ARLBERG-well.com, Tannenhof Spa | Hotel Alte Post |
| Val Thorens | France | Cutting edge 5* hotels, gourmet dining, Europe’s highest resort | Les Explorateurs, Fitz Roy, Rene et Maxime Meilleur | Le Spa du Koh-I Norm Altapura Spa Pure Altitude, Spa By L'OCCITANE | Koh-I Nor |
| Lech | Austria | Royal’s favourite resort, 5* hotels, fine food & wine | La Fenice, Picea, Griggeler Stuba | Aurelio Spa, Arlberg Wellness & Beauty | Hotel Arlberg |
| Megeve | France | Fabulous 5* hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, designer shops | 1920, Flocons de Sel, Prima, La Table de l’Alpaga | Spa Four Seasons, Le Spa du M | Four Seasons Hotel Megeve |
| Solden | Austria | 5* hotels, great food & wine, snow sure skiing | Oztaler Stube, ice Q, Zirbenstube | Aqua Dome Thermal Spa, Das Central Spa | Das Central |
| Meribel | France | Laid back lux, gorgeous chalets, 5* hotels, great après ski | L’Ekrin, Le 80, Le Cepe | NUXE Spa | Chalet Mont Tremblant |
| Cortina | Italy | Fashionable Italian ski resort, designer shopping, wine bars & fine restaurants | Tivoli, Al Camin, El Camineto, SanBrite | Rosapetra, Cristallo Ultimate Spa, Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel Spa | Grand Hotel Miramonti Majestic |
| Crans Montana | Switzerland | Biggest luxury shopping area in the Alps, acclaimed restaurants, spas | Le MontBlanc, L’Ours, Le Rawyl | LeSpa, Spa Nescens | Hotel Crans Ambassador |
| Kitzbuhel | Austria | Gorgeous Austrian town, designer shops, spa hotels | Kupferstube, Neuwirt, Lois Stern | A-ROSA Day SPA, Black Spa | Hotel Schloss Lebenberg |
| Arosa | Switzerland | Spa resort, high end hotels | La Vetta, Lamme & Leu, Muntanella | Tschuggen Bergoase, Alpin Spa | Waldhotel National |
| Zell am See | Austria | Lakeside ski resort, spa hotels, great restaurant scene | Mayer’s, Salzburgerhof, Zum Hirschen | Wellness Schlössl @ the Salzburgerhof, GRANDSPA | Hotel Grand |
We update this list often but facilities can change, so if any specific feature is essential to your trip, make sure you ask us to confirm the details before you book your holiday.
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